My special place

She is going to the south island @rav3n She has booked through a tour group and is gone for 12 days.

I never travelled solo, mostly with H.

We have booked a trip to Japan next Feb with some friends. Will be skiing over there and then spending about 5 days in Osaka. Something to look forward to.

Have you travelled?

ooo south island is so beautiful!! i went there with my family back in 2016, did bungee jumping there - one of my fav memories. is D interested in that stuff?

@Snowie ohh i see, group tour sounds pretty good, sounds like she'll be able to make connections through that too.

Japan sounds so exciting!!! My friend went last year and the pictures she sent were amazing, I have no doubt you and H will have a great time there!!

I haven't travelled solo before either, but it is my goal to one day. I'm going to Bali next Feb with my family & we were supposed to do a Japan trip with another family too but might have to push it to 2026 instead.

D is a daredevil @rav3n She would do something like that!

I'm glad she is doing a group tour. At least she will be with the same people for it. Knowing her she will make friends. She is the exact opposite to me. Loud and opinionated!!

I've been to Japan before but that was about 15 years ago. I'm sure it has changed a lot since then.

Bali is nice. We went about 8 years ago with the kids.

Our next trip will be to Europe, maybe in 2026. Not sure where in Europe yet.

Dropped S of at school and then went to do some food shopping. Ended up dissociating in the supermarket. I just left the shop and made it to the toilets. Sat in there for about 20mins until I felt like I could make it to my car.

Didn't end up getting any groceries. Maybe another day...

Hey @Snowie sounds like your morning didn't go quite as planned, but you're so right that you can do the shopping another time. Sounds like you did a good job in a difficult situation by getting yourself to a contained place that felt a bit safer until you were able to get yourself home.

Hugs @Snowie ….. 💌

I got so embarrassed @Ru-bee Must have looked like an idiot running to the toilet.

I went then because it is a quiet time, not as many people. Now I know why I avoid going out.

Thanks @Faith-and-Hope 💕💕

You know what, I bet everyone around was probably too wrapped up in their own shopping and to-do lists to spare more than a passing thought about someone rushing to the toilet @Snowie

The shops can be so overwhelming, going at quiet time is a good idea, but even then I get why it can be difficult. There's something about the environment with the fluorescent lighting and the endless products that can leave me feeling like I just want to get out of there.

I've actually been avoiding the shops lately, I'm getting my groceries delivered today because I saw the $2 mid-week delivery advertised at Coles. Sometimes I do the free click and collect too. I find it really helpful to have those alternatives in the back pocket on days when I just can't summon the mental energy to be in a shopping centre or supermarket

Hopefully no one did notice @Ru-bee

There is an Aldi and Coles in the shopping centre.

I normally shop at Aldi. I wish that they did at least click and collect. It would make it so much easier. I don't mind going there because I know where everything is that I want so can get in and get out quickly.

I've done click and collect through coles before. Maybe I need to go back to that.

Yes I wish Aldi did click and collect! @Snowie

I've started just shopping at Aldi too because I really notice a price difference compared to Coles and Woolies, so click and collect isn't something I can do all the time, but it is helpful when I'm able to do it